First off, I really did like TDKR. I walked away happy and had tears of excitement for much of the movie. That being said, a couple days later…I realize there is not a feeling of satisfaction. This is not so say that I have “Star Wars Syndrome” (meaning I already created a perfect storyline in my head that nothing could live up to) I just think that these little changes could have really improved the movie (NEVER thought I’d say that about a Nolan film)

Oh…and SPOILERS! SPOILERS!! SPOILERS!!!

10. Don’t say Batman Quit. – I get the reason for the cape to get hung up is to illustrate how impactful Harvey Dent’s death and The Dark Knight’s conclusion was. The white knight and the law has succeeded! But, this goes against everything that we know about Bruce Wayne…he can’t quit. Not for 8 years. Instead, I say he goes back to being the shadow that he was at the start of Batman Begins. That way us the fans can believe that he took on that gallery of baddies we all know and love. This way we can buy that his body is seriously damaged. The way it stands, I’m supposed to buy that people don’t get suspicious that Batman and Bruce disappear/reappear after 8 years? He’s so banged up from taking out Joker and Scarecrow? That was the point of making Bane the bad guy…Batman had never been physically challenged to this point.

9. The Mayor wants Gordon out – That’s such a BS line – “he’s a war hero, this is peace time”. I would have preferred that after TDK, Commissioner Gordon relays the message that Batman isn’t such a lawful guy, and Harvey Dent’s memory should be honored – But then has a change of heart and spends the next 8 years being the only guy in the city that still defends Batman. This would work well with my change above, with Gordon trying to keep the cops off of Batman when he hears rumors of something from the shadows taking out a street thug or when a criminal gets dropped at their doorstep. The change would be that the Mayor (and maybe the city) wants his early retirement for a believed cover-up and conspiracy with the Batman.

8. My real name is Robin. – There was a lot of the internet that had already guessed Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s true role in this movie. (I was on the side that imagined JGL is the only person in Hollywood that could be able to faithfully, and respectfully recreate a Heath Ledger Joker ((heavily relied upon by on the shadows of Arkham)). Anyway, the scene of John Blake revealing his name to get the bag was a fun play on the character, but I think it was dumbed down to make it easily accessible to the viewers that don’t know any of the names that have worn the mask of Robin. Just the tiny change of “Oh, check under my birth name…” Richard Grayson, Tim Drake, or even Jason! That would have left a smile on my face.

7. Five months is not long enough – In a movie that was 2 hr 45 mins, it should have been longer. Ha. But, really 5 months was an arbitrary number chosen as the length of time to pass for the events to occur. It’s the time it takes for the bomb to destabilize, but its a made up bomb that’s not based on real world science or math. I’d buy the 5 months, if it wasn’t for the broken back. I’ve had a broken pelvis and couldn’t even run for almost 7 months. A broken back is worse. I’d seen a comment from someone with more medical knowledge than myself say that a broken back could heal in six months to a year. And, I like that time length a bit better for the storyline too. Time for him to be in pain, heal, and hell…get back to Gotham. Broken Bat aside, 5 months is a long time to terrorize a city, and social structures definitely would have started to break down…but I would have really liked to see a city that has been closed off for a year. The desperation and survival instincts of the victims would have been profound. More carnage in the streets should have been shown anyway…those supply make it unscathed to the middle of town. Seeing Dr. Crane taking over the court system was great though.

6. Gordon’s Family – Just a little one here, not a big deal or anything. Commissioner Gordon’s family leaves him and goes to Cleveland (I may be wrong on that, but it was definitely a real world American city). The cool thing that separates DC and Marvel universes is the geography. Marvel characters live in real places like New York, LA, New Orleans, etc. DC characters live in made up locations like Gotham City, Metropolis, Smallville.

5. Explain the prison more – “The Pit” is a great idea in theory. It plays on Bane’s use of hope as a weapon. I get that its supposed to suck to be sentenced there. Where are the prison guards? How do they get food, electricity, medical supplies? Either give me more structure down in the pit where there are officials that allow for one person to make the climb on a set schedule, or give me structure above ground where there is a fail safe of officials guarding the hole to make sure that no escapees send down a bunch of anchored ropes to free everyone.

4. Put in a nod to the Joker – I know, I know, Heath died. Respect. Just a little something would have been nice.

3. Let the bomb do some damage – This is just playing on clichés. It seems like any movie with a countdown to destruction either goes full out destruction (Knowing) or all is saved (Armageddon). I would have liked the “Deep Impact” ending – the main part of the city is saved enough for a happy ending, but it doesn’t quite get out of range – so maybe we see a tidal wave take out the shore line? I don’t know enough about the science of a nuclear explosion…but more should happen than a puff of smoke and water splash.

2. Bane Deserved Better – The most physically imposing villain I’ve seen in a long time, goes out with a bang…just not a good one. An injection of perfect timing on behalf of the writing. Selina shows up at just the right moment, blink-and-you-miss-it, Bane is out of the movie. Oh, he got shot by the bike’s gun…ok? There’s the brutal first fight between Batman and Bane that is near perfect and satisfying. Then Batman rebuilds himself and takes on Bane – broken back and all. I don’t buy that he can go toe-to-toe with him again. I would have preferred a more cerebral way to fight round 2. Batman has gadgets, use them! Batman has no different strategy in the 2nd fight than the first. After the knife wound, a near death and desperate Bruce pulls off one more escape, or sets a trap – better than having convenience and a witty line save the day.

1. Kill Bruce Wayne – this one’s a biggie. This IS the one thing I’d been preparing myself to see for the last 4 years. I belive Christopher Nolan is the ONLY person that could have done a storyline that would have pulled it off. He nearly did anyway. The set up was perfect for it, the knife wound to the kidneys, maybe #2’s final fight could have been more brutal, and even the way it was illusioned with him going out with the mini-nuke. Just take out that scene of Fox discovering a fixed auto-pilot. Then that would leave the final scene with Alfred at the cafe up for debate. They took out the discussion, I believe, because the studio didn’t want children to walk away realizing Batman is dead. But following the ratings, no one under 13 should be watching these…and any one over 13 could appreciate the conversation: Is that Alfred seeing his greatest dream come true, or could Bruce have possibly survived it? That’s a Christopher Nolan ending.

*These are not the words of an aspiring film-maker, and I’m not an uppety fan-boy. This is just my opinion on what could have left ME satisfied upon leaving the theater. That being said, the actors are amazing in their roles, the music is breath-taking, the locations and shots of them are beautiful, the over-all story is excellent. I couldn’t do better. Just being a critic. Thanks for reading!